RICHMOND, Va (WRIC) — Speaking via conference call from Indianapolis where the search to replace Shaka Smart has already begun, VCU Director of Athletics Ed MCLaughlin said he believes the current roster of players who came to play for Smart will remain intact.

“I Skyped with them today,” McLaughlin said. “There were no questions of anyone wanting to leave. I think the players love being at VCU and love playing for our university, so no one brought that up, and it’s not really a concern of ours.”

McLaughlin said he believed he could count on rising senior Melvin Johnson to lead a good Ram team out onto the floor next season, even without Coach Smart.

“We’re going to put a good group out on the floor next year, and the team coming back will be that group.”

Players who seek a transfer face one year off the court due to NCAA rules. The same applies to the incoming recruiting class, now that commits have already signed their legally-binding national letters of intent.

McLaughlin said it is too early to address recruits who may have signed at VCU to play for Smart and now want to play elsewhere.”

“Obviously we want people who want to be here,” McLaughlin said. “We’ll talk to all the recruits in the next day or so, but we won’t make any decisions until we have a coach.”